NARS Surf Coach Lifesaver Award

Due to the legal conditions we can only recognise internationally valid certificates that entitle the holder to work as a lifesaver or lifeguard in an ocean environment - courses done in pools, lakes, rivers or the various courses for other water activities with some sort of connection to the topics First Aid and Beach Lifesaving cannot be recognised as this could lead to substantial troubles in case of an emergency.

As we are well aware of the fact that a lot of the certificates that are around these days are not meeting these requirements, we are happy to be able to offer - in cooperation with our partner and waterman Dean Gough - the Surf Lifesaving Great Britain (SLSGB) Surf Coach Lifesaver Award, one of the most renowned lifesaving accreditations worldwide, directly after the Surf Instructor courses.

Aim:

To establish a standard, which creates a level of competence in life saving enabling back up to qualified lifeguards

As we have been receiving quite a few requests lately: please understand that it is not possible to do the course without food and accommodation for organisational and logistical reasons. We are happy to have an appropriate location for the definitely demanding course, as a result of its infrastructure we can run the course as smooth and time efficient as possible!

To prepare those instructors who want to work in France for the French lifesaving standards we will also show you how to use fins (flippers) - please bring these with you for the course if you are interested in this fin lifesaving training!

Should the Assessment be completed over a 3 month period, the 24 month validity will commence from the date on which the first section was completed

When the award is renewed, the candidate may complete the Assessment one month prior to the expiration date of the old award. In this case the 24 month period will start on the expiration date of the old award

Syllabus

1) Fitness Test & Releases:

Complete a swim of 200 metres in the sea

2) Lifeguard Skills, Knowledge & Rescue

Demonstrate two releases selected by the assessor

In open water, demonstrate effectively the ability to carry out the following:

A thorough knowledge and understanding of all signals

Swim 100 metres (fins optional) to an unconscious, nonbreathing patient. Demonstrate deep water EAV during which time the patient shall be deemed to have become conscious. Bring the patient to shore and demonstrate appropriate aftercare. The exercise must be carried out under simulated rescue conditions with an appropriate attempt to perform the rescue ‘as quickly as possible’

Rescue an unconscious, non-breathing patient 150 metres from the shore using a rescue board

Demonstrate deep water supported EAV and return with the patient to the shore

Rescue a conscious patient from the sea (approx. 50m from shore) without equipment demonstrating appropriate patient management and care

Acting as a Lifeguard, as team leader and as part of a team, initiate the appropriate procedures at an incident and provide aftercare for 1 or 2 patients from a previously unknown simulated emergency situation. At the completion of the test, complete an Incident Report form

As part of a team, rescue a prone patient with a suspected spinal injury and remove to safety

Demonstrate appropriate action and aftercare

Answer 5 questions from the work sheets (Beach Environment section) without referring to any notes. A mark of at least 4 is accepted as the minimum score permitted.

Answer 10 questions from the work sheets (Lifeguard Techniques section) without referring to any notes.

A mark of at least 8 is accepted as the minimum score permitted.

Answer 5 questions from the work sheets (Communication section) without referring to any notes. A mark of at least 4 is accepted as the minimum score permitted.

Using a live simulated unconscious patient (not a manikin) demonstrate: Scene safety and assessment, Turning a patient from prone to supine, Open the airway & check for signs of life, The action for vomiting and blockages, The recovery position and aftercare.

Using a suitable adult manikin, demonstrate CPR and the use of supplementary oxygen via an effective method

Obtain an airway on a suspected spinal injury patient using jaw thrust

Demonstrate CPR on a Child manikin and Baby manikin

3) First Aid

Acting individually, initiate the appropriate procedures at an incident and provide the aftercare 1 patient from a previously unknown simulated first aid situation

Answer 10 questions from the work sheets (First Aid and Resuscitation section) without referring to any notes.